PLOT & PACING
The novel centers on Emery and August, two former lovers whose bond is tested when August returns to the island years after a tragedy drove them apart. The narrative hints at secrets, magic, and betrayal—but takes far too long to deliver on its promises. Most of the first two-thirds feel adrift, and the plot only picks up in the final 100 pages. By then, the resolution feels more like an afterthought than a satisfying payoff.

CHARACTER & VOICE
While Young excels at creating a sense of place, her characters here never fully leap off the page. Emery and August are sympathetic in theory, but emotionally distant in practice. Their love is central to the plot, but its spark is rarely felt. The side characters, too, blur together, more whispers in the wind than compelling voices.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
The prose is readable and often lovely, especially in descriptions of the island’s natural beauty and subtle magic. The mood is a strength—moss-draped trees, salt air, and whispered spells give the setting its own pulse. If only the story itself pulsed with equal force.

THEMES & DEPTH
The novel aims to explore themes of memory, love, lies, and the corrosive effects of unresolved grief and guilt. But the execution feels scattered. There are threads of magic, of power passed down through generations, but they never coalesce into something sharp or clear. The story has the bones of a haunting tale, but never quite casts a compelling enchantment.

PERSONAL TAKE
I wanted to like this more—especially after loving The Unmaking of June Farrow. But Spells for Forgetting didn’t quite work for me. It’s not without its charm, and fans of atmospheric reads might enjoy the slow, moody burn. Still, the meandering plot and emotional distance left me more cold than captivated.